Electronic rodent traps with remote monitoring capability

ABSTRACT

An electronic rodent trap and monitoring method is provided. Each trap has at least one entrance, and preferably two entrances in opposed relation hip to create a longitudinal tunnel, with a pair of lower plates extending longitudinally and oriented in spaced substantially parallel relationship, and a triggering element, such as a third plate, positioned above the lower plates, and preferably adjacent the ceiling of the trap on a center baffle that also shields a bait cup. The trap is activated when the rodent, with its left and right feet on the parallel lower plates, which are preferably raised above the floor, contacts the triggering element on the center baffle. The trap is preferably modular in design with an electronics module and a tunnel module removably secured within and protected by an outer housing. The trap also has improved features for more accurate remote monitoring of rodent dispatch and kill verification including long range monitoring capability.

This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. Ser. No.15/894,669, filed Feb. 12, 2018, and hereby claims the priority thereofto which it is entitled.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention

The present invention is related to the field of pest control and, moreparticularly, to an electronic rodent trap that demonstrates improvedrodent interaction and dispatch and that has remote monitoringcapability with improved reporting accuracy.

Description of the Related Art

Electronic rodent traps have been available for many years. These trapstypically have a single entrance door and are equipped with two or threekilling plates which serve to both detect the rodent and deliver a highvoltage pulse train to dispatch the rodent. Electronic rodent trapshaving two or three killing plates include those described in U.S. Pat.Nos. 6,735,899 (“the '899 patent”) and U.S. Pat. No. 7,219,466 (“the'466 patent”), which are owned by the assignee of the instantapplication. The complete disclosures of the '899 patent and the '466patent are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein as if fullyset forth in their entirety.

One problem with many rodent traps is that rodents have a documentedbehavior of being cautious around, or completely avoiding, singleentrance traps and bait boxes. Because of this behavior, having only asingle entrance to a rodent trap can lead to lower interactions orcomplete trap avoidance.

Another problem with existing electronic rodent traps is that the platesare oriented in series so that, in a three killing plate configuration,the rodent first encounters plate one, then plate two and then platethree. Plates one and two are not energized by the high voltage circuituntil the rodent contacts plate three. As a result, the trap may not betriggered if the rodent does not fully enter the trap. Alternatively,the trap may be triggered by a rodent that is not properly orientedwithin the trap, increasing the likelihood that the rodent will springback when the high voltage is initiated and escape electrocution.

Yet another problem with currently deployed electronic rodent trapshaving remote monitoring capability is the propensity for falsetriggering of the trap due to environmental conditions, such as water,or trap interaction with a non-target species, such as upon insectsentering the trap. When notifications of such false triggers are sent bythe remotely reporting traps, time is wasted checking traps that havenot, in fact, been triggered by a rodent. A remote wireless notificationelectronic rodent trapping system and method is disclosed in U.S. Pat.No. 9,743,657 (“the '657 patent”) which is also owned by the assignee ofthe present invention. The complete disclosure of the '657 patent ishereby expressly incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forthin its entirety.

Finally, it would be advantageous if electronic rodent traps with remotemonitoring capability could be monitored over a wide geographic areawithout requiring a complex infrastructure in order to provide greaterflexibility and faster system set up.

Accordingly, a need exists for an electronic rodent trap that is morelikely to be entered by a rodent and that, upon such entry, is morelikely to effectively dispatch the rodent through better platearrangement and related trap structural design features. A need alsoexists for an electronic rodent trap with remote monitoring capabilitythat is both more robust in operation and less susceptible to falsetriggers so as to reduce the number of incorrect notifications sent tothe user as a result of environmental conditions and/or non-rodentinteractions with the trap while also being able to communicate over awider geographic range.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing, the present invention is directed to anelectronic rodent trap and, preferably, to an electronic rodent traphaving remote reporting capability. The trap includes a high voltagekilling circuit having at least two lower plates adjacent the floor ofthe trap and a third or upper plate positioned above the floor of thetrap, preferably adjacent the ceiling. The two lower plates, whichextend longitudinally, are oriented in parallel with one another and areseparated by a central channel so as to extend like train tracks. Theupper plate is the triggering plate so that, as a rodent first entersthe trap and comes into contact with the two parallel lower plates, thetrap does not activate. However, once the rodent has entered the trapsufficiently to touch the upper plate, such as with its nose, the twolower plates upon which the rodent is standing are energized along withthe upper plate to deliver a high voltage pulse train to dispatch therodent.

Each of the lower plates is preferably substantially L-shaped incross-section, having a first planar member generally parallel with thefloor and a second planar member generally perpendicular to the firstplanar member so as to project upwardly away from the floor. Preferably,the first and second planar members are unitary with one another, beingformed by a single piece of electrically conductive material bent atabout a 90° angle. The second planar members, also referred to as theupwardly bent inner edges of the lower plates, extend generally parallelwith one another and with the central channel.

According to one embodiment, the lower plates are raised so as to bespaced above the floor while the bottom of the central channelcorresponds with the floor of the trap. The upper plate is preferablypositioned on a center baffle that projects downwardly toward the floorto create a height-constricting barrier substantially transverse to thelongitudinal length of the trap.

The trap preferably has at least two entrance openings on opposing endsof the trap that are aligned with one another to create a tunnel whichallows a rodent to see longitudinally through the trap from one entranceto the other. The upper plate is arranged approximately midway along thelongitudinal length of the trap tunnel so as to be equally accessiblefrom either entrance while the parallel plates extend approximately theentire length of the trap.

The trap preferably also includes a depending entry baffle at each endof the trap adjacent and inside the respective entrance opening. Theentry baffles force the rodent to be in contact with the upwardly bentinner edges of the lower plates upon entering the trap and, bycontacting the rodent in the mid-back when the trap is triggered, reducethe ability of the rodent to jump back and/or off the lower platesduring the shock cycle.

According to a preferred embodiment, the trap has remote monitoring andreporting capability. The elevated position of the lower plates abovethe floor of the trap enables the trap to operate effectively in a “hosedown” or outdoor environment with limited susceptibility to falsetriggers due to water or moisture condensation. In addition, therequirement that the pest contact both the lower plates and the upperplate to activate the trap renders the trap virtually impervious tounwanted triggering by insects entering the trap. As a result, falsetriggers and the associated generation of incorrect notifications sentto a remote monitoring station are reduced.

To further enhance the remote monitoring and reporting capability of thetraps over a wide geographic area without the need for an infrastructureof complex networks of devices and repeaters, the traps may be equippedfor long range wireless communication over a low power wide area network(LPWAN) using frequencies of less than 1 GHz and payloads not greaterthan 256 bytes. Alternatively, other wireless remote monitoring systemsmay also be utilized by the traps described herein.

The trap according to the present invention further includes an improvedbaiting method. The bait cup is positioned above the center baffle whichis vented with at least one and preferably several holes, slots or otherapertures that allow the flow of air to spread the scent of the baitthroughout the trap. This vented baffle acts as a shield, preventing therodent from stealing the bait, while yet allowing the smell of the baitto effectively draw the rodent to the upper trigger plate and properlyposition the rodent for trap activation and dispatch.

For enhanced durability and cost effective operation, particularly asimplemented within a commercial pest control system and method, theelectronic rodent trap according to the present invention can have amodular construction. According to a preferred embodiment, the modularconstruction includes an outer housing with a base configured to receivea removable electronics module and a removable tunnel assembly, ortunnel module, as inner trap components. The base is covered by a lid,which may be hinged to the base, and further includes access openingsthat align with entrance openings in the removable tunnel assembly. Theouter housing protects the inner trap components, making the trap moreresistant to possibly damaging conditions in the environment orassociated with handling of the trap, while the modular design allowsthese inner components or modules to be removed and replaced separatelyby opening the lid of the outer housing.

In the modular configuration, the electronics module includes awaterproof, or water resistant, electronics module housing that containsa power source (battery) and the high voltage circuitry used to activatethe killing plates which are positioned in the killing chamber of thetunnel assembly. An outer wall of the electronics module housing and anouter wall of the tunnel module are each provided with mating electricalcontacts that interact to connect the power source and the high voltagecircuitry in the electronics module with the killing plates in thetunnel module when the trap is fully assembled.

The tunnel assembly includes a tunnel base having a floor and two sidewalls extending between opposed entrance openings, and a removable coverpanel that together with the tunnel base define the killing chamber. Thelower plates are positioned adjacent the floor of the tunnel base, andare preferably on elevated tracks above the floor, as has already beendescribed. The entry baffles and the center baffle with the third plateproject from the inner or lower side of the cover panel to extenddownwardly into the chamber when the panel is secured to the tunnelbase. The outer or upper side of the cover panel includes an openinginto the center baffle for receiving the bait cup.

As assembled, the electronics module and the tunnel module are fittedadjacent one another and enclosed within the outer housing with theelectrical contacts on the outer wall of the tunnel base coupling thekilling plates in the tunnel module to the contacts on the electronicsmodule housing. When the lid of the outer housing is closed, rodents mayenter the killing chamber through the aligned outer housing accessopenings and tunnel module entrance openings while the electronicsmodule housing keeps the high voltage circuit components safely isolatedfrom rodent contact.

As with the non-modular trap configuration, a preferred embodiment ofthe modular electronic rodent trap includes remote monitoring andreporting capability. This capability may be implemented as described inthe '657 patent previously incorporated by reference herein.Alternatively, the modular traps may be equipped for wide geographicalarea monitoring using frequencies of less than 1 GHz and a maximumpayload of 256 bytes, such as over a LPWAN.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide anelectronic rodent trap having a high voltage killing circuit thatincludes a plurality of killing plates including at least two lowerplates arranged in substantially parallel spaced relationship with oneanother and extending longitudinally through the trap, like train tracksgenerally perpendicular to the entrance opening or openings, and a thirdtrigger plate in an elevated position spaced above the lower plates sothat, as the rodent enters, the rodent contacts a first lower plate onthe left side of the trap with its left feet and a second lower plate onthe right side of the trap with its right feet while the trap remainsinactive and then, upon the rodent contacting the third trigger platewhile standing on the lower plates, the third plate triggers activationof the killing circuit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronicrodent trap in accordance with the preceding object in which the lowerplates are generally L-shaped in cross-section, having a first planarmember generally parallel with the floor and a second planar membergenerally perpendicular to the first planar member, preferably formed bybending the plate about 90°, so that the second planar member projectsas an upwardly bent inner edge, the bent shape of the lower platesincreasing a rodent's contact with the lower plates, particularly whenthe trap is triggered.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electronicrodent trap in accordance with the preceding objects in which the trapincludes at least two entrances that are preferably on opposing ends ofthe trap and aligned with one another to create a tunnel which allows arodent to see longitudinally through the trap from one entrance to theother to increase interaction with, and ingress into, the trap.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an electronicrodent trap in accordance with the preceding objects in which the upperplate is positioned adjacent the ceiling of the trap and the lowerplates are raised above the floor of the trap to enable the trap tooperate effectively in a “hose down” or outdoor environment with limitedsusceptibility to false triggers due to water or moisture contacting thelower plates, thereby avoiding the generation of incorrect notificationssent to a remote monitoring station.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic rodent trap in accordance with the preceding objects in whichfalse triggers in response to insect entry, and the associatedgeneration of incorrect notifications sent to a remote monitoringstation caused by insects, are also reduced due to the requirement thatboth the upper and lower plates be contacted before the trap willactivate.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic rodent trap in accordance with the preceding objects in whichthe trap includes an entry baffle positioned adjacent and inwardly ofeach trap entrance, the entry baffles forcing the rodent into contactwith the lower plates, especially the upwardly bent inner edges of thelower plates and, being positioned to contact the rodent in the mid-backwhen the rodent triggers the trap, serving to hold the rodent in placeand prevent it from jumping backward during the shock cycle.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an electronicrodent trap in accordance with the preceding objects in which the trapis tunnel shaped with an entrance at each end, and the upper plate ispositioned on a center baffle that extends downwardly toward the floorto create a height-restricted barrier substantially transverse to, andapproximately midway along, the longitudinal length of the trap.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electronicrodent trap in accordance with the preceding objects in which a bait cupis positioned above the center baffle, the center baffle protecting thebait from being stolen by the rodent but being vented to allow the scentof the bait to spread throughout the trap and draw the rodent toward themiddle of the trap.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronicrodent trap, with or without remote reporting and/or monitoringcapability that includes the combination of a pair of oppositely chargedkilling plates arranged substantially parallel with one another near thetrap floor, the pair of plates extending at least partly along thelongitudinal length of the trap, generally perpendicular to the trapentrance opening, and being spaced from one another by a longitudinallyextending gap or channel, and a trigger or sensing element, preferably athird charged plate, in an elevated position above the floor of thetrap, rodent contact with the trigger or sensing element triggering thehigh voltage circuit and activating the plates to dispatch the rodent.

Another object of the present invention is to provide en electronicrodent trap in accordance with the preceding object in which the traphas a tunnel shape with two opposing entrances in alignment with oneanother to allow the rodent to see through the trap from one end to theother.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an electronicrodent trap in accordance with either or both of the preceding twoobjects in which the lower plates are supported on raised tracks thatspace the lower plates above the floor, the bottom of the gap or channelthat separates the lower plates corresponding with the floor of thetrap.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic rodent trap in accordance with any or all of the precedingthree objects in which the lower plates are bent at about 90° with aplanar portion lying flat on the raised tracks and an upwardly directedbent inner edge portion, the bent shape of the lower plates increasingcontact between the plates and the rodent.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an electronicrodent trap in accordance with any or all of the preceding four objectsin which each entrance has an associated entry baffle, the entry bafflesforcing the rodent into contact with the lower plates, especially theupwardly bent inner edge portions thereof, and being positioned tocontact the rodent in the mid-back when the rodent triggers the trap.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic rodent trap in accordance with any or all of the precedingfive objects in which the upper plate is part of a center baffle thatextends downwardly from the trap ceiling, the trap including a bait cuppositioned behind the center baffle, the center baffle protecting thebait from being stolen by the rodent but being vented to allow the scentof the bait to spread throughout the trap and draw the rodent toward themiddle of the trap and contact with the upper plate.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic rodent trap including a trap body having a longitudinallength greater than a width thereof and extending from the trap entranceto an opposite end, a high voltage killing circuit operative within thetrap body, the killing circuit including a pair of oppositely chargedkilling plates in substantially parallel relationship with one another,each plate extending longitudinally within the trap body adjacent arespective one of the side walls, the pair of killing plates beingspaced from one another by a longitudinally extending gap between theplates, and a third plate positioned above the pair of plates and spacedinwardly from the entrance door so that a rodent must enter the trapbefore it can reach the third plate, contact by the rodent with thethird plate triggering the high voltage killing circuit to activate allthree plates and dispatch the rodent.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide anelectronic rodent trap including a trap body having at least one trapentrance and a floor extending longitudinally from the trap entrance todefine a killing chamber, a high voltage killing circuit operativewithin the trap body that includes a pair of oppositely charged killingplates extending in substantial parallel relationship with one anotheralong the longitudinally extending floor, the pair of killing platesbeing spaced from one another by a longitudinally extending gap betweenthe plates, and a trigger sensor to sense the presence of a rodentpositioned across the killing plates and to trigger the high voltagekilling circuit to activate the pair of killing plates and dispatch therodent.

It is another object of the present invention to provide an electronicrodent trap with remote reporting capability in accordance with any orall of the preceding objects that can be modular in design, including anouter housing configured to receive removable inner trap componentsincluding an electronics module and a tunnel assembly, or tunnel module,the outer housing protecting the inner trap components while allowingsuch inner components or modules to be replaced separately.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a remotenotification electronic rodent trap system and method in accordance withany or all of the preceding objects, the traps being equipped for longrange wireless communication using a frequency of less than 1 GHz and apayload not greater than 256 bytes for wide geographic area monitoringof a plurality of traps without the need for an infrastructure ofcomplex networks of devices and repeaters.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a remotenotification electronic rodent crap system and method in accordance thepreceding object in which the traps communicate in a low power wide areanetwork (LPWAN) such as LoRa, SigFox, Weightless, Ingenu and the like.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a modularelectronic rodent trap in accordance with the preceding objects in whichthe electronics module includes a waterproof electronics housing thatcontains the power source (battery) and high voltage circuitry used topower the plurality of killing plates positioned in the killing chamberof the tunnel assembly, an outer wall of the electronics module housingand an outer wall of the tunnel module being provided with matingelectrical contacts that interact to connect the power source and thehigh voltage circuitry in the electronics module with the killing platesin the tunnel module when the trap is fully assembled.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a modularelectronic rodent trap in accordance with the preceding objects in whichthe removable tunnel module includes a tunnel base having a floor andtwo side walls extending between two opposed entrance openings, and aremovable cover panel that covers the tunnel base to define a killingchamber, the pair of lower plates being positioned adjacent the floor ofthe tunnel base, and the entry baffles and the center baffle with thethird plate thereon projecting from the inner or lower side of the coverpanel to extend downwardly into the killing chamber when the panel issecured to the tunnel base, the outer or upper side of the cover panelincluding an opening into the center baffle for receiving the bait cup.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a modularelectronic rodent trap having an outer housing with a base configured toreceive a removable electronics module and a removable killing chambermodule, the killing chamber module containing a plurality of killingplates and having at least one entrance opening, the outer housing basehaving an access opening in alignment with the killing chamber moduleentrance opening when the trap is assembled, the electronics moduleincluding a waterproof or water resistant electronics housing thatcontains a power source and the high voltage circuitry used to energizethe plurality of killing plates positioned in the killing chambermodule, an outer wall of the electronics module housing and an outerwall of the killing chamber module being provided with mating electricalcontacts that interact to connect the high voltage circuitry in theelectronics module with the killing plates in the killing chamber modulewhen the modules are mounted adjacent one another within the outerhousing, the outer housing having a lid that fits over the base so thataccess into the killing chamber may be gained only through the entranceopening as aligned with the housing access opening.

Still another object of the present invention to provide a modularelectronic rodent trap in accordance with the preceding object in whichthe plurality of killing plates includes at least two oppositely chargedlower plates positioned adjacent a floor of the killing chamber module,the killing chamber module also including a triggering element in anelevated position spaced above the floor, activation of the high voltagecircuitry being triggered when the rodent contacts the triggeringelement, such as with its nose, while standing on the lower plates.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a modularelectronic rodent trap in accordance with the preceding two objects inwhich the two lower plates are oriented substantially in parallel withone another, having at least portions thereof that extend longitudinallylike train tracks oriented perpendicular to the entrance opening so thatthe rodent contacts one plate with its left feet and the othersubstantially parallel plate with its right feet, the longitudinallyextending portions of the lower plates being separated from one anotherby a longitudinally extending channel.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a modularelectronic rodent trap in accordance with the preceding three objects inwhich the triggering element is a third charged plate that projectsdownwardly into the killing chamber while remaining spaced above thelower plates.

Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a modularelectronic rodent trap in accordance with the preceding four objects inwhich the killing chamber module has two entrances on opposing ends ofthe trap that are aligned with one another to create a tunnel whichallows the rodent to see longitudinally through the trap from oneentrance to the other, the outer housing base having correspondingaccess openings on opposing sides thereof, the third charged plate beingassociated with a center be positioned approximately midway along thelongitudinal length of the tunnel trap.

A further object of the present invention is to provide a modularelectronic rodent trap having an outer housing, a removable tunnelmodule configured to be received within the outer housing and defining akilling chamber extending from an entrance opening at one end of thechamber, the killing chamber having at least two killing plates and atriggering element positioned therein, and a removable electronicsmodule configured to be received within the outer housing and containinghigh voltage circuitry operative to power the killing plates, the tunnelmodule and the electronics module each having opposed side walls withelectric contacts which mate with each other when the modules arepositioned within the outer housing so that the high voltage circuitryactivates the killing plates when a rodent inside the killing chambercontacts the killing plates and the triggering element at the same time.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a modularelectronic rodent trap in accordance with any of the preceding objectsthat has an electronics module with a microprocessor coupled to both amouse circuit and a rat circuit, the outer housing having a lid equippedwith a safety switch to prevent activation of the high voltage circuitryuntil the lid is closed, the safety switch including first and secondclosure engagements each having a respective input to themicroprocessor, activation of the first closure engagement instructingthe microprocessor to activate the rat circuit, activation of the secondclosure engagement instructing the microprocessor to activate the mousecircuit, whereby the same electronics module can be used to operate bothmouse trap and rat trap versions of the electronic rodent trap throughinputs from the safety switch.

Yet a further object of the present invention is to provide a modularelectronic rodent trap with remote notification capability in accordancewith the preceding objects that is robust in a warehouse or otherpseudo-outdoor environment where water exposure is possible, the trapproviding improved functionality in both rodent dispatch and accuratekill notifications, and the modular design making the trap more durableand cost effective in operation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawing forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electronic rodent trap in accordancewith a first embodiment of the present invention, shown with part of oneside removed to expose the trap interior.

FIG. 2 is another perspective view of the trap shown in FIG. 1 in whichthe entire one side and lid have been removed.

FIG. 3 is a partial end perspective view of the trap shown in FIG. 1,showing the lower plates with the upwardly bent inner edges and entrybaffle.

FIG. 4 is an end view of the trap shown in FIG. 1, also showing thelower plates with the upwardly bent inner edges and entry baffle.

FIG. 5 is a top view taken along line A-A of FIG. 4, showing the lowerkilling plates and central channel.

FIG. 6 is a side cut-away perspective view of the trap shown in FIG. 1,showing the bait cup positioned in the hollow interior of a V-shapedcenter baffle.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line A-A of FIG. 2, showingthe vented center baffle and upwardly bent lower plates.

FIG. 8 is a partial upper perspective view of the center of the trapwith the lid removed to show the bait cup inside the center baffle inaccordance with the trap embodiment shown in FIG. 6.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a modular electronic rodent trap havingan outer housing, electronics module and tunnel module in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the modular trap shown in FIG. 9 withthe lid of the outer housing closed.

FIG. 11 is an isolated perspective view of the outer housing of the trapshown in FIG. 9, with lid open.

FIG. 12 is an isolated perspective view of the electronics module of thetrap shown in FIG. 9 showing a power-on button, a wireless connectionindicator and an LED power indicator.

FIG. 13 is another perspective view of the electronics module shown inFIG. 12 showing the electrical contacts on the inner side wall of theelectronics module housing.

FIG. 14 is an isolated perspective view of the tunnel module of the trapshown in FIG. 9, showing the electrical contacts that mate with theelectrical contacts on the electronics module shown in FIG. 13.

FIG. 15A is an exploded perspective view of the tunnel module shown inFIG. 14.

FIG. 15B shows the cover plate of the tunnel module in the process ofbeing nested within the tunnel base of the tunnel module shown in FIG.15A.

FIG. 16 is an end view taken along line A-A of FIG. 14.

FIG. 17 is an upper perspective view of the tunnel module shown in FIG.14 with the side wall that faces the electronics module having beenremoved.

FIG. 18 is a top view of the lower killing plates of the tunnel moduleshown in FIG. 17.

FIG. 19 is a perspective end view of the tunnel module shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 20 is an end view of the tunnel module shown in FIG. 19.

FIG. 21A is a perspective view of the bait cup used with the tunnelmodule shown in FIG. 14.

FIG. 21B is an upper perspective view of the bait cup shown in FIG. 21Abut as opened to place bait therein.

FIG. 21C is a top view of the bait cup mounted in the opening in thecover panel of the tunnel assembly shown in FIG. 14.

FIGS. 22A-22C are upper perspective views showing in three stages how toremove the tunnel assembly and electronics module of the modularelectronic rodent trap shown in FIG. 9.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of the modular electronic rodent trapincluding a safety switch for the outer housing lid that acts toconfigure the electronics module for operation as a mouse trap or as arat trap depending on switch contact engagement.

FIG. 24 is a flow chart of a method of operating and monitoringelectronic rodent traps of the types disclosed herein in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a long range wireless remote notificationelectronic rodent trapping system within which any of the foregoingelectronic rodent trap embodiments may be implemented in accordance withthe present invention.

FIG. 26 is a block diagram of one of the traps and the gateway shown inFIG. 25.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a LPWAN illustrating various communicationprotocols that may be selected in creating the network in accordancewith the present invention.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart of the method of operating the long rangewireless remote notification electronic rodent trapping system andmethod in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

It is to be understood that the embodiments described herein aredisclosed by way of illustration only. It is not intended that theinvention be limited in its scope to the details of construction andarrangement of components set forth in the following description orillustrated in the drawings. Also, in describing the preferredembodiments, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake ofclarity. It is to be understood that each specific term includes alltechnical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish asimilar purpose.

Further, the electronic rodent trap according to the present inventionmay be configured as a mouse trap or as a rat trap with appropriateadjustments in sizing, dimensions, power output and the like as would beunderstood by persons of skill in the art as being required for thedifferences in rodent size and hardiness. Therefore, in the absence of aspecific description pertaining to only one version or configuration ofthe trap, the following description is intended to cover both mouse trapand rat trap versions of each of the embodiments described herein.

As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention is directed to an electronicrodent trap generally designated by reference numeral 10. The trap 10includes two side walls 12, 14, a floor 16, and a ceiling 18 (see FIG.2) that define a trap body generally designated by reference numeral 20.In FIG. 1, part of side wall 12 is cut away to show the interior of thetrap. In use, the ceiling of the trap body is preferably covered by aremovable lid 22, such as when the trap is configured with a modularstructure having an outer housing as will be described later herein inconnection with FIGS. 9-23.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-8, the trap body extendslongitudinally with a first entrance generally designated by referencenumeral 24 and a second entrance generally designated by referencenumeral 26 on opposing ends thereof. The entrances 24, 26 are preferablyaligned with one another to create a tunnel which allows a rodent to seelongitudinally through the trap from one entrance to the other. Thisvisibility encourages rodent interaction with, and ingress into, thetrap. However, the trap according to the instant invention is notintended to be limited to a tunnel-shaped trap or even to traps havingmore than one entrance as the killing plate configuration and otherfeatures to be described herein may also be used in traps having only asingle entrance. So, more generally, the present invention includes anelectronic rodent trap including a trap body or housing having two sidewalls, a lid or ceiling, and a floor with at least one trap entrance, alongitudinal length of the trap body being greater than a width thereofand extending from the trap entrance to an opposite end, with theopposite end preferably having a second entrance.

A generally vertical entry baffle 28 is positioned adjacent and inwardlyof each trap entrance. Each entry baffle 28 extends downwardly from theceiling 18 toward the floor 16 and preferably has a generallysemi-circular cutout that forms an arch-shaped lower edge 30. Thisparticular shape is not necessary, however. The entry baffles 28 serveto assist in positioning the rodent properly to make the trap mosteffective and also limit the rodent's range of movement once the trap istriggered as will be discussed further hereinafter.

Also extending downwardly from the ceiling 18 is a center baffle 32,better seen in FIG. 2 where a partial view of the trap body 20 isprovided with the lid 22 and side wall 12 removed. The center baffle 32extends downwardly toward the floor to create a height-restrictedbarrier substantially transverse to, and approximately midway along, thelongitudinal length of the trap. The center baffle 32 in the embodimentshown tapers from a generally rectangular upper opening 34 into aV-shaped body 35 having an angled or pointed lower edge 36. This shapemay be varied without departing from the intended scope of theinvention. However, the upper opening 34 provides access to a hollowinterior generally designated by reference numeral 38 within the baffle32 that holds a bait cup 40 (see FIGS. 6 and 8). By removing the lid 22,the user can place bait in the bait cup 40 through the upper opening 34.Once in the cup and with the lid replaced, the bait cannot be stolen bythe rodent while the smell of the bait is nonetheless able to spreadthroughout the trap through the vent openings 42 in the center baffle 32(see FIG. 7). The location of the bait in the center of the trap alsoassists in proper placement of the rodent prior to trap activation and,by providing access to the bait cup through the top of the trap, makesit easy for the user to introduce a variety of different kinds of baitand/or to remove the bait cup for cleaning.

As best seen in FIGS. 3-5, the floor has two elevated tracks 44 thatextend longitudinally along each side wall 12, 14. The width of each ofthe tracks is between about 0.1 inches and about 3.0 inches, andpreferably about 0.75 inches for mice and about 0.875 inches for rats.The tracks 44 are separated by a channel 46 that runs at least part ofthe length of the trap body between the two entrances. The width of thechannel 46 may be up to about 1.5 inches, and is preferably betweenabout 0.1 inches and about 1.5 inches for rats and up to about 0.75inches for mice and, more preferably, is about 0.5 inches for rats andabout 0.375 inches for mice to provide a comfortable spacing for theaverage size of the rodent (rat or mouse) for which the trap isintended. The height of the elevated tracks 44 above the floor may be upto about 1.5 inches and is preferably about 0.5 inches. The trackspreferably include a further raised inner edge 48 that runs along anddefines the sides of the central channel 46. The edge 48 may be integralwith the tracks 44 or may be formed by a separate wall element.

The trap includes at least three killing plates including at least twooppositely charged lower plates generally designated by referencenumerals 50, 52 arranged substantially parallel with one another andextending longitudinally through the trap on top of the elevated tracks44. As shown, the parallel plates 50, 52 are generally perpendicular tothe entrance openings 24, 26. The tracks and the plates thereon extendlongitudinally within the trap body and adjacent a respective one of theside walls, with the width of the two lower plates being approximatelythe same as the width of the tracks noon which they are mounted.

The parallel arrangement of the two oppositely charged plates 50, 52ensures that the rodent contacts both plates immediately upon enteringthe trap. With reference to the entrance 24 shown in FIG. 3, upon entryto the trap the rodent contacts the right lower plate 50 with rightfront foot and the left lower plate 52 with left front foot, and therodent stays in contact with both plates, including subsequent contactwith the back feet, as it moves through the trap. The trap is nottriggered, however, until contact is made with an elevated third platewhich energizes all of the plates as will be described hereinafter.

The lower plates 50, 52 are generally L-shaped in cross-section, eachhaving a first planar member 54 generally parallel with the floorcentral channel 46 and a second planar member 56 generally perpendicularto the first planar member 54 (see FIGS. 4 and 7). The two planarmembers 54, 56 are preferably formed by bending each plate 50, 52 about90°, so that the second planar member 56 projects upwardly as a bentinner edge positioned adjacent, and generally parallel with, therespective raised inner edge 48 of the elevated track upon which theplate is supported. As shown, the upper edge 58 of the second planarmember 56 extends upwardly beyond the upper edge of the raised inneredge 48, having a height of up to about 0.75 inches and preferably about0.25 inches. The bent shape of the lower plates 50, 52 increases arodent's contact with the lower plates as the rodent's feet are on thefirst planar member 54 while the second planar member 56 providesadditional contact with the rodent near its chest and/or belly throughits fur, particularly as the rodent squeezes under the entry baffle.This is advantageous both during trap activation, as the bent shapeprovides better contact with the rodent and also brings the shock closerto being across the rodent's chest/body for a quicker dispatch, and alsofor kill verification after trap activation.

With respect to the latter, the trap of the present invention, accordingto a preferred configuration, has remote monitoring capability and isconfigured to verify the continued presence of the rodent after akilling cycle before sending a kill notification to the user. Thisprocess is the same as that described in the '466 patent, previouslyincorporated by reference herein. However, unlike the flat plates in the'466 patent which may be degraded in resistance sensing capability dueto dirt and debris on the plates creating poor contact, the upwardlydirected second members 56 of the bent lower plates 50, 52 enable thetrap to detect a resistance passed through the rodent's fur to theirskin. This improves kill verification and the accuracy of remotemonitoring.

The trap further includes a third or upper plate 33 which may beseparate or built into the center baffle 32. The upper plate 33 ofbaffle 32 is the trigger plate that activates the trap's high voltagecircuit to dispatch a rodent that is standing on the lower plates.Therefore, when a rodent enters the trap and contacts both lower plates50, 52 the trap remains inactive. However, when the rodent is drawntoward the bait and touches the upper plate 33 on the baffle 32, such aswith its nose, the trap is triggered and activates the upper plate alongwith the two lower plates in like manner as described in thethree-killing-plate configuration of the '466 patent. The rodent willlikely lose contact with the third plate during the killing cycle butthe baffle 32 aids in keeping the rodent in the trap for the fullduration of such cycle.

Placement of the upper plate 33 in the center of the trap ensures thatthe rodent is far enough into the trap to have proper contact with thelower plates 50, 52 on the raised tracks 44 before the trap istriggered. Once triggered, the entry baffle 28 (whichever one is behindthe rodent) further enhances the rodent's positioning and contact withthe plates, hitting the rodent in the mid-back which both prevents therodent from jumping backwards out of the trap and forces the rodent intocontact with the bent members 56 of the lower plates through its fur aswell as with the planar members 54 upon which it is standing. For rats,the distance between the lower edge 30 of the baffle and the plates 50,52 is between about 0.75 inches and about 3.0 inches. Within this range,the distance from the lower edge 30 of the baffle to the first planarmember 54 is preferably about 1.4 inches, and to the upper edge of thesecond planar member 56 is about 1.2 inches. For mice, the distancebetween the lower edge 30 of the baffle and the plates 50, 52 is betweenabout 0.25 inches and about 1.5 inches. Within this range, the distancefrom the lower edge 30 of the baffle to the first planar member 54 ispreferably about 0.7 inches, and to the upper edge of the second planarmember 56 is about 0.6 inches.

In addition to making sure that the rodent is sufficiently within thetrap before the trap is triggered, the use of an elevated third plate,such as plate 33 adjacent the ceiling of the trap, and the requirementthat the upper plate be contacted along with the lower plates before thetrap is triggered, provides two significant benefits to trap operation.

First, the separation between the upper plate and the lower platesvirtually ensures that the trap will not be activated by insects. Byreducing or eliminating such false triggers, the number of incorrectnotifications sent to a remote monitoring station by the trap are alsoreduced, saving the time and effort that would otherwise be expended inchecking empty traps.

Second, and in conjunction with placement of the lower plates on theraised tracks, the trap in accordance with the present invention isresistant to being triggered by water. As a result, the trap may be usedeffectively in a “hose down” or outdoor environment with limitedsusceptibility to false triggers due to water contacting the lowerplates, thereby further avoiding the generation of incorrectnotifications sent to a remote monitoring station. Placement of the baitwithin the center baffle and under the lid also protects the bait fromwater in the event the user were to hose down the area around the trap.

Should the trap be triggered in a hose-down situation, such as by waterbouncing off the positive lower plate and hitting the upper plate, thetrap could complete a killing cycle. However, the gap between the raisedplates would prevent water from bridging across the lower plates suchthat the resistance required to confirm a kill would be absent. As aresult, false triggering of the trap is less likely to result in thesending of a confirmed kill notification.

Should a flooding situation occur such that the water level in the roomrises to the point where the upper plate is contacted, all of the user'straps on the same level would be triggered at nearly the same time. Uponsuch an event, the pest controller can warn the user that anotherproblem—beyond rodent control—has been experienced.

The raised parallel plates with upper trigger plate thus serve to makethe trap less susceptible to false triggers and the sending ofinaccurate kill notifications. By forcing the rodent to have at leastone foot on both plates when the trap is triggered, and by delayingtriggering until the rodent is sufficiently within the trap to contactthe upper plate, the likelihood of a successful kill is enhanced.

According to a preferred embodiment of the present invention as shown inFIGS. 9-23, the electronic rodent trap is modular in design, providingenhanced durability and cost effective operation, particularly whenimplemented within a commercial pest control system and method.

More particularly, FIG. 9 shows a modular electronic rodent trapgenerally designated by reference numeral 100 that includes an outerhousing generally designated by reference numeral 102, with removableand replaceable inner components including an electronics modulegenerally designated by reference numeral 104, and a tunnel assembly ortunnel module generally designated by reference numeral 106. The outerhousing 102 includes a base 108, into which the electronics module 104and tunnel module 106 are closely fitted adjacent one another, and a lid110 that is closed and secured to the base when the trap is in use asshown in FIG. 10. The lid 110 may be hinged to the base or may be fullyseparable from the base 108. In the embodiment shown, the outer housingbase 108 has two access openings 112 that align with the two entranceopenings 114 in the tunnel module 106 as shown. The base 108 may alsoincludes inner ribs or alignment structures (not shown) to help positionand secure the inner component modules to prevent sliding or shiftingthereof within the outer housing.

The outer housing 102 protects the inner trap components, i.e., theelectronics module 104 and the tunnel module 106, making the trap moreresistant to possibly damaging conditions in the environment orassociated with handling of the trap, while the modular design allowsthese inner components or modules to be removed and replaced separatelyby opening the lid of the outer housing. The lid 110 of the outerhousing 102 is also preferably provided with a safety switch (not shown)that prevents the trap from being activated when the lid is open.

As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13, the removable electronics module 104includes a waterproof electronics housing 120 that contains the highvoltage circuitry used to power the killing plates that are positionedin the tunnel module 106. An outer wall 122 of the electronics housingis provided with electrical contacts 124 that are brought into activeengagement with corresponding contacts 126 on the tunnel module 106 (seeFIG. 14). The contacts 126 on the tunnel module 106 are coupled to thekilling plates inside the killing chamber when the trap is fullyassembled. The outer wall 122 of the electronics housing 120 is alsoprovided with flanges 128 that align with and slide into projectingchannels 130 on the outer wall of the tunnel module to secure thehousing 120 to the tunnel module and keep the contacts 124, 126 in firmconnection when the trap is in use (see FIGS. 22A-22C for the innercomponent removal sequence). The outer wall 122 of the electronicshousing 120 preferably includes a power-on button 117, an LED powerindicator 111 and a trap wireless connection indicator 119.

The tunnel module 106 as assembled is shown in FIG. 14 and includes atunnel base generally designated by reference numeral 136 and aremovable cover panel generally designated by reference numeral 138.FIG. 15A is an exploded view of the tunnel base 136 and cover panel 138,while FIG. 15B shows the cover panel being put in place. The tunnel base136 and cover panel 138 together form the tunnel module that defines thekilling chamber generally designated by reference numeral 137 (see FIG.16).

The tunnel base 136 includes a floor 140 and two side walls 141, 142extending between the opposed entrance openings 114. Alternatively, thecover panel could be constructed with the two side walls so as to fitonto the floor of the base. As shown, the contacts 126 are on side wall141. The lower plate 150, 152 are positioned adjacent the floor 140 ofthe tunnel base, and are preferably on elevated tracks 144 above thefloor, as has already been described. The entry baffles 228 and thecenter baffle 232 with the third plate 133 (see FIG. 16) project fromthe inner or lower side of the cover panel 138 to extend downwardly intothe killing chamber 137 when the cover panel 138 is secured to thetunnel base 136. As shown, the third plate 133 may be provided with ajagged or uneven lower edge. While not necessary, the jagged or toothedlower edge reduces the ability of the rodent to go under the baffle andplate without activating the trap as the teeth more readily get past therodent's fur to make contact with its body. The outer or upper side 146of the cover panel 138 includes an opening 150 into the center baffle232 for receiving the bait cup 240.

FIGS. 17-19 show the arrangement of the lower plates 150, 152 in themodular configuration illustrated herein. Plate 150 is T-shaped, havinga long side 149 adjacent to and parallel with side wall 142 and aperpendicular stem 151 extending transverse to the longitudinal lengthof the trap and electrically coupled through side wall 141 to theelectronics module 104. Plate 152 is made of two short plates 152 a, 152b positioned adjacent side wall 141. The short plates 152 a, 152 b areelectrically connected to one another inside the electronics module 104.As best seen in FIG. 18, short plates 152 a, 152 b are connected withcontacts 126 a, 126 b, respectively, while the perpendicular stem 151 ofplate 150 is connected with contact 126 c. The third plate 133 on thecenter baffle 232 is coupled to the upper contact 126 d (see FIG. 15A).

Plates 150, 152 are separated by channels 246 a, 246 b in like manner tothe separation provided by channel 46 between plates 50, 52 aspreviously described herein. In addition, the plates 150, 152 arepreferably bent at about 90° with a planar portion lying flat on theraised tracks 144 and an upwardly directed edge portion 156 as in theembodiment already described in connection with FIGS. 1-8.

A bait cup 240 to be received in the opening 150 in the center baffle232 is shown in FIG. 21A and as positioned in the opening in FIG. 21C.The bait cup 240 may be made of two halves 240 a, 240 b that snap fittogether as shown in FIG. 21B, but other designs are also possible. Thetwo halves include vent slits 239 to allow for dispersal of scent fromthe bait while the center baffle also includes vent holes 242 as hasalready been described in connection with the embodiment shown in FIGS.1-8.

As assembled, the electronics module 104 and the tunnel module 106 arefitted adjacent one another and enclosed within the outer housing 102.The electrical contacts 126 on the side wall 141 of the tunnel base 136couple the killing plates 150, 152 to the contacts 124 on theelectronics module housing 104. When the lid 110 of the outer housing102 is closed, rodents may enter the killing chamber 137 through thealigned outer housing access openings 112 and tunnel module entranceopenings 114 while the electronics module housing 120 keeps the highvoltage circuit components safely isolated from rodent contact.

To disassemble the trap 100, the lid of the outer housing 102 is openedand the tunnel module 106 is pulled upwardly, disengaging the flanges128 of the electronics housing 120 from the channels 130 on the tunnelmodule as shown in FIG. 22A. The electronics module 104 is then pushedtoward the back wall of the housing 102 to align with the accessopenings 112, FIG. 22B, and lifted out, FIG. 22C.

While the plates are enclosed within the tunnel module 106 makinginadvertent user contact therewith unlikely, the electronics module ispreferably operative with a safety switch 502, depicted in the blockdiagram of FIG. 23, to ensure that a microprocessor 500 in theelectronics module 104 will not activate the high voltage circuit 501unless an input is sensed indicating that the lid of the outer housing102 is closed. To increase the modularity of the trap, the safety switch502 according to the present invention is configured to include twopossible contact closures which may be represented by first and secondlid magnets 504, 506, which are in communication with first and secondHall-effect devices 508, 510, respectively. Depending upon which magnetis engaged when the lid 110 of the outer housing 102 is closed, thesafety switch 502 is operative to communicate with the microprocessor500 via the respective Hall-effect device which configures the highvoltage circuit 501 for operation using either the mouse circuit 520 orthe rat circuit 530 portions of the high voltage circuit 501. Thus, whenmagnet 504 is contacted upon closure of the lid 110 of the outer housing102, its associated Hall-effect device 508 is activated and tells themicroprocessor 500 to activate the rat circuit 530. Conversely, whenmagnet 506 is contacted upon lid closure to activate Hall-effect device510, the microprocessor 500 proceeds to activate the mouse circuit 520.In this way, mouse and rat trap versions of the electronic rodent trapaccording to the present invention as described herein, which havedifferent dimensions in the tunnel assembly and overall trap footprint,may utilize a common electronics assembly 104 with both modes ofoperation being available, dependent upon the magnet closure engagementof the safety switch 502. With this modularity, the user can power bothkinds of traps with the same electronics assembly 104, with reducedequipment costs and increased utilization of assets.

While illustrated with all of the features as just described, thepresent invention is also directed to any electronic rodent trap thatincludes the combination of a pair of spaced killing plates arrangedsubstantially parallel with one another near the floor and extendingalong the longitudinal dimension of the trap and a third plate in anelevated position above the floor of the trap, with the third platebeing the trigger plate. The elevated positioning of the third plate,and the requirement that both the lower plates and thee upper plate becontacted to trigger the trap, may be used effectively with traps havingshapes other than that of a tunnel, with traps having only a singledoor, with traps in which the lower plates are not raised above thefloor or with traps that do not have a center baffle and/or entrybaffles.

As has been described, it is preferable that the lower plates are bentat about 90° with a planar portion lying flat on the raised tracks andan upwardly directed edge portion. The bent shape of the lower platesincreases contact with the rodent, particularly when the trap isprovided with entry baffles that force the rodent into contact with theupwardly bent edges of the lower plates with the baffles beingpositioned to contact the rodent in the mid-back when the rodenttriggers the trap.

In addition, while a configuration in which the upper plate is part of acenter baffle is preferable, the upper plate may be positioned alone,such as directly on the ceiling or on the side of the trap. If on theside of the trap, the upper plate should be spaced above the floor suchas, for example, halfway up the side wall or higher. It is not expectedthat the rodent will remain in contact with the upper plate aftertriggering the trap, but will rather be dispatched by the activatedlower plates. Therefore, the upper plate may be at various positionswithin the trap so long as sufficiently spaced above the lower plates toavoid triggering of the trap by water contacting the upper and lowerplates simultaneously or by insects that, while crawling into the trapon the floor or on another surface, are typically not large enough tospan a gap and contact two spaced surfaces at once.

While the modular configuration with parallel, longitudinally extending,killing plates as described herein is preferred, those skilled in theart will readily appreciate that the modular trap design disclosedherein, having separate electronics and tunnel modules with matingelectrical contacts within an outer housing, could include tunnelmodules in which the killing plates are arranged in series as shown inthe '899, '466, and '657 patents. Therefore, the module design featuresof the present invention are to be understood as not being limited toelectronic rodent traps having a parallel plate arrangement in thetunnel module.

Accordingly, the present invention may be directed to a modularelectronic rodent trap including an outer housing that receives aremovable electronics module and a removable killing chamber modulehaving at least one entrance opening. The outer housing is provided withan access opening that aligns with the killing chamber module entranceopening when the trap is assembled with the two modules inside the outerhousing.

The electronics module includes a waterproof or water resistantelectronics housing that contains a power source and high voltagecircuitry used to energize a plurality of killing plates, which may bein varying configurations, that are positioned in the killing chambermodule. Electrical contacts on an outer wall of the electronics modulehousing are brought into mating engagement with electrical contacts onthe outer wall of the killing chamber module to connect the power sourceand the high voltage circuitry in the electronics module with thekilling plates in the killing chamber module when the trap is fullyassembled with the outer housing protecting the inner modules.

Further, the present invention is intended to include any electronicrodent trap having a pair of spaced, substantially parallel platesextending longitudinally, i.e., perpendicular to the trap entrance, thatare triggered by a separate triggering element positioned in an elevatedposition within the killing chamber of the trap. This triggering elementmay be a third plate or, alternatively, may be a mechanical switch as inU.S. Pat. No. 7,690,147 (“the '147 patent”), or an infrared sensor as inU.S. Pat. No. 7,757,430 (“the '430 patent”), or any other known sensoras would be considered suitable by persons skilled an the art. Thecomplete disclosures of the '147 patent and the '430 patent are alsohereby expressly incorporated by reference herein as if fully set forthin their entirety.

Accordingly, the present invention may be directed to an electronicrodent trap having a trap body with a killing chamber accessed by anentrance opening and including a plurality of killing plates and anelevated triggering or sensing element. The plurality of killing platesincludes at least two oppositely charged lower plates positionedadjacent a floor of the killing chamber and oriented substantially inparallel with one another, having at least portions thereof that extendlongitudinally like train tracks oriented perpendicular to the entranceopening so that the rodent contacts one plate with its left feet and theother substantially parallel plate with its right feet, thelongitudinally extending portions of the lower plates being separatedfrom one another by a longitudinally extending channel. The elevatedtriggering element is spaced above the floor and inwardly from the trapentrance opening, with activation of the high voltage circuitry beingtriggered when the rodent contacts the triggering element, such as withits nose, while standing with its left and right feet on the left andright lower parallel plates, respectively. The triggering element may bea third charged plate as has been disclosed herein, or may be amechanical switch, IR sensor or the like, as would be known by skilledpersons in the field of rodent traps as suitable for use in anelectronic rodent trap.

Further, the present invention includes a method of using and/oroperating an electronic rodent trap of the types disclosed herein assummarized in FIG. 24. The method includes providing an electronicrodent trap having a trap body with at least one entrance, a highvoltage killing circuit coupled to first and second oppositely chargedlower plates that extend longitudinally and in substantially parallelrelationship with one another like train tracks, perpendicular to thetrap entrance, and to a sensing or triggering element, such as a thirdplate, in an elevated position above the lower plates and positionedinwardly of the entrance, step 300. Place the trap in active standbymode by powering trap, step 302. With trap in active standby, a rodententering the trap through the trap entrance contacts the first lowerplate with at least one of its left feet and the second lower plate withat least one of its right feet, step 304. If the third plate is notcontacted, step 306, the trap remains inactive and in standby mode. Uponthe rodent making contact with the elevated sensing or triggeringelement, e.g., the third elevated plate, step 306, the high voltagekilling circuit is automatically activated to deliver a high voltagepulse train to the first, second and third plates, step 308. Currentflow is terminated after a specified time period defining a kill cycle,step 310, and the trap performs a kill verification by checking forcontinued resistance across the first and second plates, step 312. Inthe absence of resistance, step 314, the trap automatically rearms, step316, and returns to standby mode, step 302. If resistance remains acrossthe plates, step 314, the trap sends a notification to a remotemonitoring unit that trap servicing is required, step 316. The elevatedpositioning of the third plate makes the method of operation moreimpervious to unwanted triggers and associated false notifications dueto the presence of insects in the trap and/or water contamination.Additionally, to reduce the possibility of false notifications, such asdue to the presence of water, the step of performing a kill verificationis preferably performed after waiting for a time period followingcompletion of the kill cycle to allow the water to drain from the lowerplates.

The present invention is also directed to a method of monitoring aplurality of electronic rodent traps of the kind that has been describedherein. The electronic rodent traps have remote monitoring capabilitysubstantially like that described in the '466 patent and the '657patent, both previously incorporated by reference. According to themethod, a trap that has been triggered determines, upon completion ofthe killing cycle and after waiting a time period, whether a resistanceconsistent with a dispatched rodent remains across the lower plates. Inthe absence of such resistance, the trap resets and awaits the nextinteraction. If the resistance is detected, however, the trap sends atransmission to a remote monitoring station of the triggered trap statusand of the need for trap servicing. Such a method, which is summarizedaccording to one embodiment in the '466 patent and according to anotherembodiment in the '657 patent, is enhanced by the raised lower plateswhich reduce the likelihood that a false trigger, due for example to thechance contact of water with both the upper and lower platessimultaneously, will be subsequently confirmed since the water willlikely not remain so as to bridge the two lower plates at the time oftrap status verification. As a result, the number of incorrect trapstatus notifications sent to the remote monitoring station will bereduced.

Should a flooding situation occur in which the water level in the roomhas risen to cover the lower plates, all of the user's traps on the samelevel would indicate the need for servicing at the same time. The pestcontroller would understand such an outcome as indicative of a problembeyond rodent control and could advise the owner of the facility inwhich the traps are deployed accordingly.

Incorporation of the modular electronic rodent trap, or any otherelectronic rodent trap configurations described herein, within a longrange remote notification electronic rodent trap network, generallydesignated by reference numeral 410, is representatively depicted inFIG. 25. The network 410 includes a plurality of electronic rodenttrapping devices or traps 412 and a gateway 414 that can be arranged ina star-type network like that shown in which the traps communicatedirectly with the gateway 414 with no need for repeaters orintercommunication between the traps. The gateway can be configured tocommunicate with the cloud 416, enabling trap status to be monitored byusers at virtually any location as is known by persons skilled in theart.

As shown in FIG. 26, each of the traps 412 includes a microprocessingunit (MPU) 420 in communication with a rodent sensor 422, a killingcircuit 424, and an RF module 426 by which the trap communicates withthe gateway 414. Upon detecting the presence of a rodent with the pestsensor 422, the MPU 420 activates the killing circuit 424 to dispatchthe rodent. The trap 412 also has a power source such as battery 428 andmay further include an environmental sensor 430 that can be used tocollect data in areas in which placement of such a sensor or sensors, ona dedicated basis, might otherwise be inconvenient or impractical, suchas crawl spaces, attics or other relatively inaccessible locations wheretraps are often used effectively. While not necessary, equipping thetrap with an environmental sensor 430, such as for ambient temperature,provides an extra functionality at minimal cost and no additional effortin terms of installation in the field.

The gateway 414 may be a public gateway operating on a protocol likethat used with cellular devices in which cell phones communicate withcell towers not owned by the end user. Alternatively, the gateway 414may be established by the owner of an individual system such that thenetwork 410 over which the traps communicate is private. In this case,the owner purchases a long-range gateway and sets up a personal facilitythrough which all of the trapping devices connect.

As depicted in FIG. 27, the traps 412 communicate with at least onegateway 414 preferably within a low power wide area network (LPWAN) 440.Depending on the communication protocol used, the LPWAN 440 may be aLoRa network 442, a Sigfox network 444, an Ingenu network 446, aWeightless network 448, or other network used to provide machine tomachine connections in the manner described herein. In connection withFIG. 27, it is to be understood that the network types 442-448, whichare shown as being “connected” to the LPWAN 440, are intended torepresent, within a single drawing figure, alternative communicationprotocols that may be used individually in configuring the LPWAN 440.

According to the method of long range wireless communication using theelectronic rodent traps described herein, the plurality of electronictrapping devices 412 send wireless transmissions including trap statusdata to the gateway 414. Using frequencies of less than 1 GHz, the trapsare capable of reporting their status to the gateway over a distance ofat least one mile away, with communication capability ranges extendingoutwardly on the order of up to about ten miles away, without the use ofrepeaters. The transmissions carry a small payload of not greater than256 bytes, which optimizes range and battery life. As a result, thesystem and method of long range remote monitoring of electronic rodenttraps of the types described herein allows for the monitoring of largecommercial, urban, agricultural and residential areas while obviatingthe need for an infrastructure including complex networks of devices andrepeaters. By eliminating the need to install permanent networkcomponents, system setup is fast as well as easily modifiable.

A flowchart of the method of remotely monitoring a plurality ofelectronic rodent traps through a base station or gateway device is setforth in FIG. 28. The method includes positioning a plurality of trapsin desired locations in a geographical area and activating the traps,step 450. In response to the occurrence of a trap reporting event at thetrap, the trap sends a wireless transmission having a payload of notmore than 256 bytes at a frequency of less than 1 GHz to the basestation or gateway device, step 452, where it is received, step 454. Thetransmissions are sent directly to the base station or gateway devicewithout using any intervening repeating devices. When positioning theplurality of traps, the traps may be in various locations at a range ofup to 10 miles away from the base station or gateway device.

The occurrence of a trap reporting event, step 452, may includeactivation of the pest sensor 422, activation of the killing circuit424, the elapsing of a preset time period between periodic trap statusupdate transmissions, a low battery condition, and the like, with theunderstanding that the system and method may be configured to defineother occurrences as “reporting events”, i.e., events that initiate thesending of a transmission by the trap, as would be understood by personsof ordinary skill in the art. The operation of the traps following atransmission depends upon the nature of the reporting event as well asthe specific configuration of the reporting trap.

Using a LPWAN with the traps described herein provides a system andmethod for monitoring electronic rodent traps with greatly increasedrange in a way not previously considered applicable to the field ofrodent control devices which have a fixed location in use but which canbe moved to, and then used in, a different location very easily. Thelong range gateway and trap communication using long range radiofrequency modules described herein provide a degree of flexibility andease of set up and use not previously available or contemplated inconnection with electronic rodent trap monitoring systems and methods.

The foregoing descriptions and drawings should be considered asillustrative only of the principles of the invention. The invention maybe configured in various combinations of trap configuration and remotemonitoring system operation and is not limited by the particularcombinations set forth in the preferred embodiments. Therefore, it isnot desired to limit the invention to the specific examples disclosed orthe exact construction and operation shown and described. Rather, allsuitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, fallingwithin the scope of the invention.

1. An electronic rodent trap with remote notification capabilitycomprising: a trap body having at least one trap entrance and extendinglongitudinally from the trap entrance to an opposite end; a high voltagekilling circuit operative within the trap body, said killing circuitincluding a plurality of plates that includes at least two oppositelycharged lower killing plates in substantially parallel relationship withone another and having at least portions thereof extendinglongitudinally within the trap body, said oppositely charged lowerkilling plates being elevated above the floor of the trap body on raisedtracks, the raised tracks being separated by a channel that forms alongitudinally extending nap separating the lower plates, and atriggering element separate from the at least two lower plates andspaced inwardly from the entrance so that a rodent must enter the trapbefore it can reach the triggering element, contact by the rodent withthe triggering element simultaneously with the lower plates causing thehigh voltage killing circuit to activate at least the two lower killingplates and dispatch the rodent.
 2. The remote notification electronicrodent trap as set forth in claim 1, wherein the trap body has twoentrances, one on either end in opposed relationship to create a tunnelwhich allows a rodent to see longitudinally through the trap from oneentrance to the other.
 3. The remote notification electronic rodent trapas set forth in claim 2, wherein the electronic rodent trap is modularand includes an outer housing forming the trap body, a removable tunnelmodule configured to be received within the outer housing and havingopposed entrances in alignment with the two entrances of the trap body,and a removable electronics module also configured to be received withinthe outer housing, the electronics module containing the voltage circuitoperative with the at least two oppositely charged lower killing plates.4. The remote notification electronic rodent trap as set forth in claim3, wherein the trap includes an RF module for sending wirelesstransmissions to a base station or gateway device at a frequency of lessthan 1 GHz, each wireless transmission having a payload of not more than256 bytes.
 5. The remote notification electronic rodent trap as setforth in claim 4, wherein the trap communicates over a low power widearea network (LPWAN).
 6. The remote notification electronic rodent trapas set forth in claim 5, wherein the LPWAN is selected from the groupconsisting of a LoRa network, a Sigfox network and an Ingenu network. 7.A method of operating a modular electronic rodent trap having remotenotification capability comprising: providing a modular electronicrodent trap with modular components that include an outer housingforming a trap body having two opposed entrances, a removable tunnelmodule configured to be received within the outer housing and havingopposed entrances in alignment with the two opposed entrances of thetrap body, the tunnel module having at least first and second oppositelycharged lower killing plates and a triggering element, the lower plateshaving portions that extend longitudinally and in substantially parallelrelationship with one another like train tracks, and a removableelectronics module also configured to be received within the outerhousing, the electronics module containing a high voltage circuitoperatively coupled to said first and second oppositely charged lowerkilling plates; assembling the modular components to configure the trapfor use and placing the trap in active standby mode; the trap remainingin active standby mode when a rodent enters the trap through one of thetrap entrances and contacts the first lower plate with at least one ofits left feet and the second lower plate with at least one of its rightfeet but does not contact the triggering element; the trap automaticallyactivating the high voltage killing circuit to deliver a high voltagepulse train to the first and second plates only when a rodent, while incontact with the first and second plates, touches the triggeringelement; the trap terminating current flow after a specified time perioddefining a kill cycle; the trap performing a kill verification bychecking for continued resistance across the first and second plates;and in response to detecting that resistance remains across the firstand second plates, sending a notification to a remote device that trapservicing is required.
 8. The method as set forth in claim 7, whereinassembling the components includes placing the electronics module andthe tunnel module into the outer housing while bringing outer contactson the electronics module into engagement with tunnel module contactslocated on an outer wall surface of the tunnel module to electricallycouple the lower plates in the tunnel module with the high voltagecircuit in the electronics module.
 9. The method as set forth in claim8, wherein the step of sending a notification includes sending wirelesstransmissions to a base station or gateway device at a frequency of lessthan 1 GHz, each wireless transmission having a payload of not more than256 bytes.
 10. The method as set forth in claim 9, further comprisingplacing the modular trap for operation within a low power wide areanetwork (LPWAN).
 11. A remote notification electronic rodent trappingsystem comprising: a base station or gateway device; and a plurality ofelectronic rodent trapping devices, each of said rodent trapping devicesincluding an RS module for sending wireless transmissions to the basestation or gateway device at a frequency of less than 1 GHz, eachwireless transmission having a payload of not more than 256 bytes, saidfrequency and payload size providing long range wireless remotenotification capability while communicating directly with the basestation or gateway device.
 12. The remote notification electronic rodenttrapping system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the trapping devicescommunicate in a low power wide area network (LPWAN).
 13. The remotenotification electronic rodent trapping system as set forth in claim 12,wherein the LPWAN is selected from the group consisting of a LoRanetwork, a Sigfox network, and an Ingenu network.
 14. The remotenotification electronic rodent trapping system as set forth in claim 11,wherein each of the trapping devices further includes a pest sensor anda killing circuit.
 15. The remote notification electronic rodenttrapping system as set forth in claim 11, wherein the trapping devicesare modular with each trapping device including an outer housing forminga trap body having two opposed entrances, a removable tunnel moduleconfigured to be received within the outer housing and having opposedentrances in alignment with the two opposed entrances of the trap body,the tunnel module having at least first and second oppositely chargedlower killing plates and a triggering element, the lower plates havingportions that extend longitudinally and in substantially parallelrelationship with one another like train tracks, and a removableelectronics module also configured to be received within the outerhousing, the electronics module containing a high voltage circuitoperatively coupled to said first and second oppositely charged lowerkilling plates.
 16. The remote notification electronic rodent trap asset forth in claim 15, wherein the lower plates are electrically coupledwith tunnel module contacts on an outer wall surface of the tunnelmodule, said removable electronics module having an electronics housingwith outer contacts configured for engagement with the tunnel modulecontacts to electrically couple the lower plates in the killing chamberwith the high voltage circuit in the electronics module.
 17. A method ofremotely monitoring a plurality of electronic rodent traps through abase station or gateway device comprising: positioning the plurality ofrodent traps in a geographical area; sending wireless transmissions eachhaving a payload of not more than 256 bytes from the rodent traps to thebase station or gateway device at a frequency of less than 1 GHz; andreceiving the wireless transmissions at the base station or gatewaydevice.
 18. The method as set forth in claim 17, wherein the wirelesstransmissions are transmitted directly to the base station or gatewaydevice without use of any intervening repeating devices.
 19. The methodas set forth in claim 18, wherein sending wireless transmissionsincludes said rodent traps communicating within a low power wide areanetwork (LPWAN).
 20. The method as set forth in claim 19, wherein saidrodent traps are modular and said positioning of the rodent trapsincludes assembling a plurality of modular components, each trap havingan outer housing forming a trap body with two opposed entrances, aremovable tunnel module configured to be received within the outerhousing and having opposed entrances in alignment with the two opposedentrances of the trap body, the tunnel module having at least first andsecond oppositely charged lower killing plates and a triggering element,and a removable electronics module also configured to be received withinthe outer housing, the electronics module containing a high voltagecircuit operatively coupled to at least said first and second oppositelycharged lower killing plates.